Kevin Keegan slams Newcastle owner Mike Ashley for showing 'a total lack of respect' to supporters

The former Toon boss declared that he understands why supporters are so upset with the club's owner, who he accused of buying the club 'as a bit of a joke'

Former Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has slammed Magpies owner Mike Ashley for treating the club's supporters with "a total lack of respect."

The Magpies have been on a miserable run since Yohan Cabaye's departure in January, losing nine of 13 matches since February began, ahead of today's win over Cardiff City.

A run of six straight defeats has seen supporters calling for manager Alan Pardew's dismissal, whilst some fans walked out in the 69th minute of today's match at St James' Park in protest.

But Keegan says that the problems stem from the very top of the club - namely Ashley.

"They've been treated with a total lack of respect," said Keegan when asked about the supporters frustrations.

"These are great supporters, you know, and Mike Ashley changed the name of the stadium from St. James’ Park to the Sports Direct Stadium. You know, if he had wanted to know what the worst thing he could have done to upset the fans, that would have been it.

"But they are just fed up with him," Keegan told Bein Sports, "and it’s not against Alan Pardew today, it’s not.

"They aren’t that happy with Alan because they see him as a bit of a puppet really but I think that’s a bit unfair really. It starts at the top and I once had the pleasure of working for Mike Ashley and it certainly wasn’t that!"

And 63-year-old Keegan, who this week declared that he would return for a third stint as manager so long as Ashley was no longer owner, also accused Ashley of buying the north east club, "as a bit of a joke."

"The problem that you’ve got is that the fans feel like they’ve been absolutely betrayed and that Mike Ashley is just doing what he wants with the club," added Keegan.

"He bought this football club as a bit of a joke with a mate of his.

"He phoned up like you would do buying a car, saying, “look, I’ll buy this off you’.

"Mike Ashley bought Newcastle just to say, look I’ve bought a football club."